Metallic fabric.



No. 819,711. PATENTED MAY 8, 1906. G. H. BEDIENT.

METALLIC FABRIC.

APPLICATION FILED rn.9.19o5.

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TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. BEDIENT, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF ONE-HALF TO FRANCIS G. HEREFORD, OF BALTI- MORE, MARYLAND.

METALLIC FABRIC.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May s, 1906.

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. BEDIENT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Fabrics, of which the following is a specification.

My invention herein shown is an improvement in metallic fabrics for mats and other purposes of that class in which units or parts are held together by means of rods passing through these units or parts.

I have illustrated the invention as applied to the form of units or parts shown in Letters Patent of Emory A. Bedient, No. 776,620, granted on the 22d day of November, 1904; but it is equally applicable to fabrics composed of other forms of units or parts and is shown in this particular form merely for illustration.

The general construction of the fabric herein shown is the same as that of the patent above speciiied--that is to say, the fabric is composed of units consisting of thin strips of steel or other metal bent to form a rectangular parallelogram, but centrally partly open on one side, the units being reversed to and interloclred with each other to form the longitudinal series of sections, with duplication or multiplications of such series for lateral extension and all flexibly connected by laterally-arranged rods which pass through and connect the units and also pass through and connect the laterally-extended series. My present invention relates to these connectingrods. These consist of a series of broad staples formed of rod or wire inserted from the outside on each edge, with the bridges of the staples resting against both outer edges of the fabric and with the prongs passing laterally through one section and connecting its units and into another section by the side of the first and terminating in the interior, and thus connecting the sections with the clenched or otherwise-secured ends on the inside. This is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents the fabric in plan view. Fig. 2 is a side view. Fig. 3 is a detail view of a modification, and Fig. 4 is a view of one of the units.

In the drawings the units of thin strips of metal, with parallel sides and with ends 3 forming incomplete or open sides, are interlocked to form a longitudinal series of sections connected on one side by the continuous side l of one unit and on the other by a plain strip c, laid on the side and connecting the sections, such as A B.

It will be understood that the strips are punched at points where the laterally-arranged prongs pass through.

There are three series of sections shown placed side by side; but any other odd number of three may be used; but whatever the form ofthe units it will be understood that they interlock with or lap upon one another, so that the rods or prongs pass through and connect the units.

The staples having prongs 7 of rod or wire form are inserted from the outside through holes in the lapping parts of the units comprising the sections and through the adjoining side of the adjacent section, and these rongs or rods terminate on the inner surface of the inside of a middle or interior section. They may be secured by bending over or clenching the ends or by nuts or in any way convenient. simplest and easiest, and as all these fastenings are on the interior and are there held in place and out of the way and not exposed to catching or tearing the bending may be used as well as any other method of securing the staples. I have, however, devised another special connection for the ends, whereby both ends are united and also covered or concealed and whereby also any desired strain may be put upon the prongs to draw them together and firmly bind the structure. This consists of a sleeve made with right and left hand interiorly-threaded ends lilre an ordinary turnbuckle. The ends of the prongs or rods are also threaded and are inserted one in one end of the sleeve 9 and the opposite in the other end of the sleeve, these ends being drawn together by turning the sleeve. Thus the desired strain may be put upon the fabric and the parts are securely held together. The sleeve may be in the orm of ordinary tubing, in length preferably not exceeding half the width of the space within the unit in which it lies. By this construction the bridges of the staples are all on the outside and form a neat finish and the same appearance on both edges of the fabric. Y The rods on each side may extend nearly to the other side, and thus The bending over is the f e IOO break joints; but however this may be the clenched rods are in the interior of the fabric.

By this improvement I lessen the cost and provide a mat that will not cut or mar the iioor or its covering, is of economical construction, neat in appearance, and may be rolled up when not in use.

I claim- 1. A fabric composed of units arranged in sections, and staples extending from the opposite edges of the fabric toward the interior of the fabric with their prongs axially in line and secured within said fabric, substantially as described.

2. A fabric composed of units of substantially rectangular form each having an open side with inwardlyturned ends the adjacent units being reversed in position and intermeshing by having a portion of each entering the open side of the other and means passing through the sides and inturned ends of the units for pivotally holding them together,

said means consisting of uU-shapedIstaples extending inwardly from opposite sdeslof the fabric with their ends secured within the fabric, substantially as described.

3. A fabric composed of units in the form of flat strips, arranged in sections and connected by staples, the prongs of which are secured within the fabric by sleeves, substantially as described. v

4.- A fabric composed of edge units and interior units with staples extending from opposite edges of the fabric part way toward the center with their prongs secured within said fabric on opposite sides of the center, substantially as described.-

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE H. BEDIENT.

Witnesses:

FRANK A. BRANDY, WALTER C. SMITH. 

